She possesses one of the most alluring and powerful voices within the soul genre, injecting poignant words with both passion and substance. She doesn't need to rely on technical wizardry because her voice is an instrument within itself. It's quietly Seductive, Sexy, Galvanizing and Sweet. In an industry that advocates monotony, Goapele is an autonomist - a poster girl for individualism and perhaps because of her cultural heritage, a non-conformist. Her exiled South African political activist father met her New York-born Jewish mother and married while in Nairobi, Kenya. For a woman whose name means 'to go forward' in Setswana, the South African language of her grandmother, Goapele is instinctively living up to her moniker. The Oakland, California-based songstress broke onto the Bay Area music scene in 2001 with the ethereal Even Closer (Skyblaze Records) an indie masterpiece which went on to sell an unprecedented number of units, largely based on the success of the smash hit single “Closer.” The album’s mix of soulful grooves and thought-provoking lyrics introduced the world to a multi-faceted artist and songwriter, known as much for her social and political activism as for her lush romantic ballads. The poised chanteuse delivered a testimony-driven, emotionally aching yet uplifting and candidly charged classic cuts to soul music junkies who feigned for organic gutbucket vocals and raw bass lines. Goapele brilliantly experimented with skillful compositions and heart wrenching harmonies while the songs showcased the singer/songwriter's impeccable ability to mix classic soul with rhythm and blues along with new-age funk, dripping with sensuality, instantly garnering her respect for skillfully uniting hip-hop, jazz, R&B and melodic soul. Critics from every major media outlet hailed the songstress as the “next” musical icon and heralded Even Closer as an album ahead of its time. The Bay Area based ingénue who was equally influenced by Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley and Portishead as she was by Miriam Makeba, Zulu Spears and Hugh Masekela brings a well-needed enigmatic presence to a mundane industry that is devoid of innovative magic and fascination, but thick with semblance. The exquisite dread headed beauty went on to grace the covers of Bay Area's premier San Francisco Magazine "Best of the Bay Area" issue and the SF Bay Guardian’s end of the year “Music” issue, was named #5 artist to watch in Rolling Stone Magazine, received the first ever Ella Baker “Human Rights Cultural Hero Award” Award, made the countdown on MTV’s “Top Ten Artists To Watch” and collaborated with ALDO Shoes’ huge advertisement campaign in their fight against HIV/AIDS featuring renowned artists Avril Lavigne, Ludacris, Dave Navarro, Charlize Therron, Pink, Eve, Rosario Dawson, Eva Mendes, Bow Wow, Ziggy Marley and Kelly Rowland. Her musical ingenuity won her the 2003 San Francisco Weekly Award and a Nomination for the 2003 California Music Award, as her tribute list and accolades continued to grow. Her signature of throaty moans and nostalgic lyrical poetry evoke all things old yet somehow manages to be refreshingly new. While she garnered the support of music critics and fans, a host of fellow musicians and celebrities--including The Roots, Talib Kweli, Rosario Dawson, Mos Def, Shaquille O’Neal, Kanye West, Magic Johnson, Prince and Stevie Wonder--came under the spell of her music, style and sensibility and called her in various words “The next big artist to watch.” Erykah Badu voted Even Closer as the most creative and innovative albums for the 2003 ShortList Music Project and exclaimed, "Goapele you Shine! I love you. I’m pleased that you demonstrate True Jedi, and the music is beautiful too.” Next the vintage dressed diva brought an infusion of fresh energy and a classic, yet new sound to R&B music with her highly anticipated and groundbreaking sophomore set, Change It All, (Columbia/Sony Records) and proved that enlightened change could be a positive force in the world of music and beyond. Featuring production work from old friends Jeff Bhasker, Mike Tiger, Amp Live, Sa-Ra Creative Partners and Linda Perry, all who set precedents for The Game, E-40, Martin Luther, Sa-Ra, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Bilal, Pink and Christina Aguillera the result was a collection of love songs and politically/socially inspired songs that remained true to Goapele's firmly planted roots. The collection of tracks also featured an awe-inspiring duet with Virgin recording artist and fellow soulster, Dwele. Songs like the emotive second single "Love Me Right," with its electro-pop funk, show Goapele taking aesthetic risks while staying true to her signature sound. She collaborated with Linda Perry on Pink Floyd inspired "Darker Side Of The Moon," a ballad that reflects her ability to travel far beyond the borders of traditional R&B while strengthening the core values of old soul music. In the spirit of Goapele’s interest in positive change, she and Skyblaze Records founded an online community and non-profit Website that shares its name with her album. The site www.ChangeItAll.org presents Goapele's musical message, highlights political and social change-makers, and provides a forum for Goapele's fans and others to network and create ways to promote action, creativity, courage and positive growth for people and communities everywhere. Goapele has been a lifelong pioneer for change, performing at rallies, demonstrations and various political events around the world from Cuba to South Africa but specifically in the Bay Area where she recently received the first ever ‘Human Rights Cultural Hero Award” by the Ella Baker Center, recognizing her role as a political activist involved in the struggle for human rights globally. Although esoteric when it comes to her personal life, during her infrequent idle time, the graceful songbird can be found around Lake Merritt swaying to the rhythmic drum beats in her Afro-Haitian dance classes, and spending time with her 1 year old daughter. After emerging as the Bay Area’s “golden child” years before Keyshia Cole made her musical debut the recent introspective mother has taken her serene - yet inspiring - sound to the masses, both stateside and abroad for the past decade. Time and again, the singer wowed sold-out crowds with her emotionally powerful songs, energetic spirit, and luminous shows, receiving rhapsodic reviews from The New York Times to The San Francisco Chronicle performing alongside the likes of everyone from legendary South African icon Hugh Masekela to rapper turned thespian Mos Def. Goapele is currently back in the studio recording tracks for her third album featuring songs with Mos Def, Krucial Keys and more. This coming Fall 2008 Goapele will release an electrifying and inspiring Live DVD, filmed at the Great American Music Hall, the original historical French restaurant, the inspired symbol of San Francisco’s rebirth, the legendary jazz club after World War II and the contemporary favorite nightspot for Bay Area elite which has showcased luminaries such as Duke Ellington, the Grateful Dead and Robin Williams which the SF Weekly hails “the best place to see live music.” Goapele adds to this prestigious list of luminaries as she takes the stage alongside her radiant and multi-talented musicians who comprise the band “The Heat” in a 10-song performance including original tracks and her unique rendition of classics. After witnessing this stirring performance you will understand why the Bay Area’s Urban View Newspaper claims, "Her vocals shatter souls, leaving audiences begging for more” while the San Francisco Chronicles continues, “She is a petite songstress with a voice that can fill a stadium.” When Goapele opens her mouth to sing, she doesn't just sing, she rips it. She can't hold back. But then again, moving forward is what Goapele is all about.